BCF Celebrates Vibrant Arts Scene with Sprinkling of "Confetti Grants"


(Baltimore, MD, 12/29/09) The Baltimore Community Foundation recently announced $30,400 in small grants to 15 arts organizations in Baltimore City. The “confetti grants” of $2,000 each were awarded to local arts groups that, though small, have made significant contributions to Baltimore’s vibrant arts and cultural scene in 2009.

“These grants represent BCF’s excitement about the role of the arts in helping Baltimore support a growing economy where all have the opportunity to thrive,” noted BCF President and CEO Tom Wilcox. “Many American cities have rebounded on the strength of a dynamic, emerging arts scene, and BCF is proud to celebrate and encourage the young and emerging arts professionals whose entrepreneurial and transformative work is an important asset to Baltimore.”

The $2,000 “confetti grants” were awarded not only to celebrate the small arts groups that have helped enrich Baltimore’s exciting arts and cultural scene, but also to encourage these artists to continue to share their creative work with each other and attract new artists and audiences to their performances and exhibitions. The innovative, quirky, and inspired work supported by the grants includes musical performances, nonprofit theater productions, speaker series, art galleries, and exhibition and performance spaces. Applications for the grants were not solicited.

BCF’s 2009 “Confetti grant” recipients include:

American Opera Theater - $2,000
The AOT specializes in presenting innovative and challenging productions of forgotten works, as well as in redefining traditional favorites through a contemporary musical and visual aesthetic.

American Studio Orchestra - $2,000
The ASO works to redefine the orchestra experience for its audiences by performing all types of music and incorporating a wide range of media into its performances, including the work of musicians, composers, filmmakers, photographers, sculptors, dancers, painters, and videographers.

Annex Theatre - $2,000
This DIY nonprofit theatre located in a warehouse space in Greenmount West presents a host of plays, some produced and directed by its own ensemble and others by groups such as The Missoula Oblongata, Wham City, and Bedlam Theatre.

Area 405 - $2,000
Area 405 produces, presents, and promotes arts and cultural programming of artists from Baltimore and the Mid-Atlantic. Located in an artist-owned live/work warehouse space in Station North, the venue offers lectures, screenings, artist talks, as well as the occasional dance and musical venture.

Design Conversations - $2,000 A monthly series of conversations arranged loosely around a topic for people interested in discussing design and architecture in Baltimore. Floristree - $2,000 This active performance space in the H & H Building in downtown Baltimore offers a venue primarily for music, but also for the occasional theatrical production.

Gallery Four - $2,000
Located in the H & H Building downtown, this gallery presents visual artists from Baltimore and beyond, generally in group exhibitions arranged by theme.

The Hexagon - $2,000
A volunteer-run art and performance space located in Station North, the Hexagon features performances by Baltimore bands and well as works by visual artists.
Ignite Baltimore - $2,000 At every Ignite event, 16 artists, technologists, thinkers, and personalities take the stage to answer this challenge: “5 minutes, 20 slides. What would you say?” Ignite’s goal is to spark new conversations and collaborations across cultures and disciplines.

Metro Gallery - $2,000
A multi-use space located across the street from the Charles Theater, the gallery’s self-described portfolio offers “Art/Film/Music/Bar,” often all at once.

Mobtown Modern - $2,000
In partnership with the Contemporary Museum, Mobtown Modern creates a new type of listening experience for composed music by integrating classical instruments, DJ-style electronics, strong visual elements, and a lounge environment into each performance.

Nudashank - $2,000
A new independent, artist-run gallery space that showcases young artists from around the region and provides a venue for national and international artwork.
Single Carrot Theatre - $2,000 A small, off-beat, nonprofit theater company that performs at Load of Fun Studios in Station North.

Ric Royer - $2,000 
A performance curator who presents visual arts, music, theater, readings and occasionally meditation or other group activities.

2010 Second Saturdays Series - $2,400
Station North’s monthly series of free events serves to heighten awareness, interaction, and appreciation among Baltimore's art and music communities and promote the Station North district as a cultural destination.




Youngsters in Patterson Park get a workout in the neighborhood’s youth soccer league.
One Step Up scholars Sherrone Ricks and Jeane’ Baker celebrate with donors Jonnie-Kay McLean and Norman Morrison.
A Baltimore City student soaks up the sun at North Bay Adventure Camp.
Enjoying the lake at Druid Hill Park. Photo by Middleton Evans.
Dreams do come true: Our Playground at Stadium Place, rebuilt by determined volunteers and generous donors after the original was destroyed by arson. The work was supported by a fund at BCF. 

BCF’s efforts through the Diversity Path will work to rebuild Baltimore’s black middle class.

Baltimore’s vibrant arts and cultural scene boasts innovative projects like the Contemporary Museum’s Mobtown Modern Music Series, which combines classical instruments, jarring visual components and DJ-style electronics into informal performances of works by modern composers. Photo by Robert McIver Photography.
Cyclists atop Federal Hill take in views of the city skyline and bustling Inner Harbor. Photo by Middleton Evans.
Collecting butterflies in the field for a nature study.
In the spring of 2009, an army of dedicated volunteers worked to rebuild Our Playground at Stadium Place, which had been destroyed by arson in September 2008. Photo by Kristine Buls.
Enjoying one of the simple pleasures of summer at a neighborhood camp.
BCF’s Human Services Path emphasizes health, aging, and family economic security.
Neighbors team up to beautify and reclaim a vacant lot.
Most Middle Grades Partnership scholars qualify for the city’s competitive high schools.
Rapid and reliable public transportation for our region is a central goal of the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance, a fund of BCF. Photo by P.A. Greene.
Children beat the heat in the waters of the Walter Sondheim Fountain at the Inner Harbor. Contributions to construct the memorial were collected through a special project fund at BCF. Photo by Will Kirk, courtesy of Homewood Photography.
Students at Great Kids Farm learn about local food production, from “seed to fork.”
Baltimore’s successful One Plus One recycling program has engaged residents in making the city cleaner and greener.
Baltimore City students and farm manager Greg Strella (far right) with the summer harvest at Great Kids Farm.
Students at Baltimore’s Friendship Academy of Engineering and Technology, one of many public charter schools helping to transform public education in our city. Photo by Stephen Jones, courtesy of Baltimore City Public Schools.
BCF’s Promoting Baltimore Path works to ensure that Baltimore continues to retain and attract citizens and businesses.
Experience-Corps Baltimore places older adult volunteers in struggling city elementary schools to serve as classroom aides, mentors, and tutors. Photograph by Michael Ciesielski, courtesy of Greater Homewood Community Corporation, Inc.

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